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Successful online event for the Hotel Industry by CITY College Europe Campus

A third successful virtual event on tourism by our Business Administration & Economics Department. This year the event was focused on the Hotel Industry Experienced and well-recognised professionals shared their views and expertise The two challenges in the Hospitality sector were throughout discussed: sustainable profitability and human resources management Watch the event on our Youtube Channel The online event for the Hotel Industry was held with great success and ended with useful conclusions and suggestions by the invited speakers. The event organised was by the Business Administration and Economics Department of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus on 14 February 2023. The event, themed 'Hotels: Sustainable profitability and human resource management', was opened by Ms. Aggeliki Papakonstantinou, Head of the Business Administration and Economics Department of CITY College who warmly welcomed invited speakers and guests. Experienced and well-recognised professionals participated as speakers in the event, shared their valuable insights and perspectives on the topic, namely, Alkis Sotiriou, Managing Director, Makedonia Palace-Porto Carras, Panos Almyrantis, General Manager Grand Hyatt Athens & President European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA), Dimitris Perrakis, General Manager of Grecotel Cape Sounio, Olga Tsapanidou, General Manager Blue Bay Hotel, Nassos Fanos, Independent Legal Services Professional - GDPR and Hotel Contract Specialist, Kalliopi Karantemiri, Human Resources Director, K.BADOUVAS Group of Companies and Sotiris Milonas, Civil Engineer, ΜΒΑ, Sustainability Health & Safety Risk Auditor. The main topics discussed during the event were sustainable profitability and human resources management in hotel industry, which represent the two critical challenges that are interconnected and require careful management. Specifically, as the speakers mentioned in their presentations, hotels are highly dependent on natural resources and therefore produce a significant amount of waste. To achieve sustainable profitability, hotels must prioritise resource efficiency, reduce waste and adopt environmentally friendly practices that can help reduce their environmental footprint. This can include investing in energy efficient technologies, using renewable energy sources and implementing waste management strategies. However, all guest speakers highlighted that sustainable profitability cannot be achieved without the support and commitment of the hotel workforce. Human resources management plays a critical role in creating a culture of sustainability and driving change within the organisation. One of the important challenges highlighted during the event is that the alarmingly high staff turnover rate in hotels that represents a limiting factor affecting the quality of services provided. Hotels must implement strategies that prioritise employee engagement, recognise and reward employee achievements, and create opportunities for growth and career advancement. Investment in employee training and development is also necessary to ensure that employees have the necessary skills to provide high-quality services and experiences to customers. Some other interesting suggestions that emerged from the event are the need for proper infrastructure to achieve sustainability, the need of adequate workforce to create competitive advantage, proper collaboration between hotel managers and entrepreneurs, financial support of work and not unemployment, better contracts and increasing direct bookings rather than reducing operating costs. As was characteristically mentioned at the event "The new term "anthropocracy" is the one that will provide the solution to the hotel industry....the investment in people and human resources." The event was moderated by Dr Giovanni Oscar Serafini, Associate Professor, και Dr Lemonia Papadopoulou - Kelidou, Lecturer at the Business Administration and Economics Department of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus, who asked key questions and facilitated the discussion between the speakers. It is worth mentioning that this was the third successful virtual event organised by CITY College on Tourism, an industry particularly important for the Greek economy, but also for the sector of education.   Watch the event on our Youtube Channel:  

21/02/2023

Hotels: Sustainable profitability and human resource management

The following event is going to take place in Greek. Διαδικτυακή Εκδήλωση   Ομιλητές Πάνος Αλμυράντης Γενικός Διευθυντής, Grand Hyatt Athens & Πρόεδρος του Ευρωπαϊκού Συνδέσμου Διευθυντών Ξενοδοχείων (ΕΗΜΑ) Άλκης Σωτηρίου Γενικός Διευθυντής,  Makedonia Palace - Porto Carras Δημήτρης Περράκης Γενικός Διευθυντής, Grecotel Cape Sounio Όλγα Τσαπανίδου Γενική Διευθύντρια, Blue Bay Hotel Σωτήρης Μυλωνάς Πολ. Μηχανικός ΑΠΘ, ΜΒΑ, Σύμβουλος και Επιθεωρητής αειφορίας Καλλιόπη Καραντεμοίρη Διευθύντρια Ανθρώπινου Δυναμικού, K.Badouvas Group of Companies Νάσσος Φανός Δικηγόρος εξειδικευμένος σε GDPR και σύναψη συμβολαίων φιλοξενίας   Συντονιστές Δρ Giovanni Oscar Serafini Αν. Καθηγητής, CITY College, University of York Europe Campus Δρ Λεμονιά Παπαδοπούλου - Κελίδου Λέκτορας, CITY College, University of York Europe Campus   Το CITY College University of York Europe Campus διοργανώνει για τρίτη συνεχόμενη χρονιά διαδικτυακή εκδήλωση με τίτλο “Ξενοδοχεία: βιώσιμη κερδοφορία και διαχείριση ανθρώπινου δυναμικού” η οποία αφορά στις προκλήσεις που αντιμετωπίζει ο ξενοδοχειακός κλάδος σε ζητήματα οικονομικά και διαχείρισης προσωπικού καθώς επίσης και στους πιθανούς τρόπους βιώσιμης διαχείρισης των εν λόγω προκλήσεων. Αναγνωρισμένοι επαγγελματίες του κλάδου θα συζητήσουν για οικονομικά προβλήματα και την ανάγκη της βιώσιμης λειτουργίας και κερδοφορίας των ξενοδοχείων σε συγκεκριμένο νομικό πλαίσιο. Το αυξημένο λειτουργικό κόστος, ο διεθνής ανταγωνισμός σε συνδυασμό με το ενεργειακό και τη συνεχή εξαγορά ξενοδοχείων στην Ελλάδα απειλεί τη βιώσιμη λειτουργία των επιχειρήσεων. Η έλλειψη προσωπικού δυσχεραίνει την ποιοτική παροχή ξενοδοχειακών υπηρεσιών.  Η ελλιπής εξειδίκευση και κατάρτιση σε συνδυασμό με τις χαμηλές αμοιβές και την εξ ορισμού εποχικότητα των θέσεων εργασίας δημιουργούν ένα “αδιέξοδο” το οποίο κοστίζει χρηματικά και ποιοτικά. Πώς θα μπορέσει ο ξενοδοχειακός κλάδος να ξεπεράσει αυτή τη δυσκολία; Η εμπειρία και οι γνώσεις των προσκεκλημένων ομιλητών θα δώσουν τις απαντήσεις στα ερωτήματα υπογραμμίζοντας τους νομικούς περιορισμούς, κινδύνους και σκιαγραφώντας ασφαλή νομικά και οικονομικά πλαίσια λειτουργίας ξενοδοχειακών επιχειρήσεων για συμβόλαια, προμήθειες και εργασιακές συμβάσεις     Δήλωση συμμετοχής Παρακολουθήστε την εκδήλωση * H εκδήλωση θα μεταδοθεί ζωντανά μέσω Live Streaming    Join and share! Add to Google Calendar  

06/02/2023

Guest lecture on Project Management by our alumna, Agapi Kyrtsidou, Senior Associate Project Analyst at Pfizer

Students from our Business Administration & Economics Department had the opportunity to attend a very interesting guest lecture on Project Management by Ms Agapi-Chrysi Kyrtsidou, Senior Associate Project Analyst at Pfizer and CITY College alumna. In the lecture, Ms.Kyrtsidou walked the students through the steps of managing multiple parallel work projects, including the secrets of workflow optimization, team management, task assignment, real-time team collaboration analysis, and process improvement. She also presented the advantages and disadvantages of using the Waterfall and Scrum methodologies in Project Management, along with the Scrum development process and roles, the Agile philosophy, and the various Project Management software available in the market. In addition to the lecture topic, students were also interested to know of Ms. Kyrtsidou's educational background and career development at Deloitte and Pfizer. The guest lecture took place in the context of the 'Decision Making with IT' unit, taught by Dr. Andrew Salisbury and was supported by our Career, Employability and Enterprise Centre.    

25/01/2023

Online Guest Lecture: Top lessons: What do you need to know about employer branding before you graduate

09/01/2023

Company visit at Alumil by our Business Students

On Tuesday 6 December 2022, second-year students from our Business Administration & Economics Department had the outstanding opportunity to visit the impressive Kilkis plant of Alumil and discover management best practices of one of the world's leading companies in the design and production of aluminum architectural systems. As part of the Organisational Behaviour module led by Dr Giovanni Oscar Serafini, this industrial on-site visit involved an initial company presentation followed by a guided plant walk-through. Thus, our students learnt about the structure, operations, and unique organisational culture behind the Alumil success story, before seeing first-hand the machinery, learning about the production flow, and the all-important topic of safety in the workplace. With this initiative, Alumil demonstrated its commitment to principles and values that strengthen the connection between industry and educational institutions. As this was the first company visit for the specific students following Covid-19 restrictions, it had a special value to all of us. We wish to thank the ALUMIL team for their time and effort for the amazing warmth, hospitality, friendliness, and approachability during our extremely informative visit and the overall remarkable learning experience!  

12/12/2022

Students from the Business Department visit Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki hotel

On Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 November, CITY College, University of York Europe Campus first-year students had the unique opportunity of visiting the luxury Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki hotel, in the context of 'Principles of Management' module. Our students were warmly welcomed by Matina Nikita, Personnel Manager and Lia Nedelkou, Training Officer at Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki who gave them a site tour and useful information about the hotel’s operations. The visit encompassed a detailed company presentation followed by a premises walk-through. It was an outstanding learning experience involving management best practices application in the luxury hospitality business context.  

06/12/2022

International Business Strategy Week by the Business Administration & Economics Department

Five days full of interesting guest lectures by distinguished academics and professionals On a five-day event (14-18 November 2022) third year undergraduate students of the Business Administration & Economics Department of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus had the remarkable opportunity to attend a series of guest lectures related to International Business Strategies. Lectures were held by academics and professionals from the industry exploring concepts related to a company's positioning and strategic financial planning in the international environment, product country image, distribution channels and exports, international branding and marketing, strategic alliances. During an intense time frame students were asked to work on, prepare and present to their professors an oral presentation discussing the acquisition of SANI/Ikos by GIC, a Singaporian fund managing the country's foreign reserves. It was an outstanding learning experience exposing students to recent international strategy trends and further developing their skills in terms of creativity, teamwork, collaboration, research and critical thinking and time management. The event took place in the context of the 'International Business Strategy' module led by Dr. Lenia Papadopoulou. Special thanks go to our amazing speakers! Mr. Ioannis Verginis Member of the Board of Directors, Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Development President of Trade Department, Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry Honorary Consul of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Thessaloniki. Dr. Dimitrios Nikolaidis, CEO of Embryolab IVF Clinic Mr. Othon Pylarinos, Operations Manager, AXEL S.A. Mr. Yannis Vaharoglou, COO, Ioniki S.A. Mr. Chris Liassides, Associate Professor, Business Administration & Economics, CITY College, University of York Europe Campus Prof. Leslie Szamosi, Director of the Pan-European MBA, CITY College University of York Europe Campus  

25/11/2022

Guest lecture on Exhibitions by Dr Pozrikidis, CEO of TIF Helexpo

CITY College Europe Campus had honour to host as guest speaker Dr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis, the CEO of TIF Helexpo, who delivered an insightful speech entitled "Exhibitions as a marketing tool" for the third year undergraduate students of the Business Administration & Economics Department in the content of International Business Strategy module led by Dr Papadopoulou Lenia. Students had the opportunity to discuss with Dr. Pozrikidis about the multidimensional impact of exhibitions, their contribution in sustainable local development and the role of "honoured countries". The guest speech was highly appreciated by students! We would like to warmly thank Dr Kyriakos Pozrikidis for the guest lecture and the valuable insights he shared with our students.

25/11/2022

CITY College supports ‘Boroume – saving food, saving lives’ charity organisation

With the initiative of our Business Administration and Economics Department, CITY College adopted a farmers market in Thessaloniki to help reduce food waste, save leftover food   Many student volunteers have joined the initiative offering valuable help every Friday We are happy to announce that the Business Administration and Economics Department has initiated a collaboration with the charity organisation ‘Boroume – saving food, saving lives’ by ‘adopting’ a farmers’ market in Thessaloniki to help reduce food waste, save leftover food and offer it to charitable organisations. More specifically, students and staff volunteers support the action “Boroume at the farmers market”. The first groups of volunteers visited the Petrou Syndika farmers’ market on Friday 11 and 18 November accompanied by Dr Alexnadra Prodromidou and Dr Nikos Tsorakidis respectively and helped the collection of fruits and vegetables donated by vendors from the market stands and their distribution to those in need. Indicatively, the first time our students joined the cause they collected 339 kilos of fruits and vegetables and a crate with fish. These amounts produce 1.406 meals. The experience was very rewarding! Students and staff from CITY College’s community will be visiting the market in Petrou Syndika every Friday. CITY College is both happy and proud to support ‘Boroume’ and its cause to strengthen solidarity, reduce food waste and donate food to people who are experiencing acute food insecurity. CITY College student volunteers in action! Mr. Athanasios Fourtounas, Assistant Professor at our Business Department with student volunteers (1 December 2022)   Call for student volunteers! CITY College students are welcome to join as volunteers and support this initiative! Join now!   CITY College, University of York Europe Campus supports 'Boroume'  

22/11/2022

Guest lecture on 'Teams: Building Trust and Managing Conflict & Change'

On Tuesday 15 November 2022, second-year undergraduate students of the Business Administration & Economics Department of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus had the extraordinary opportunity to attend a guest lecture by Mr Naoum Liotas (Gestalt Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Business Coach based in London, UK). Same as last year, he joined us live from London (UK) to discuss building trust and managing conflict and change in teams, as part of the Organisational Behaviour module led by Dr Giovanni Serafini. A particular highlight of this fascinating presentation was the role of trust, which represents the glue that keeps teams together. Thus, trust is co-created, negotiated between everyone involved, and helps teams be effective. Most importantly, trust creates psychological safety, whereby it's all right to question someone if this is for the best of an organisation. In conclusion, as Mr Liotas stressed, in the current VUCA context change is incessantly top-down and bottom-up, yet it has to be emergent, relational, and happening through dialogue. It was an outstanding learning experience bringing key insights on OB and business best practices to classes at CITY College, University of York Europe Campus.  

16/11/2022

International Business Strategy Week

14-16 November 2022 The Business Administration & Economics Department is organising the 'International Business Strategy Week', 14-16 November at the main campus of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus. Our students will be exposed to the most recent trends related to IBS through a series of events presented by distinguished guest lecturers. The events are going to take place in the context of the International Business Strategy module led by Dr. Lenia Papadopoulou-Kelidou. Download the agenda (PDF)  

11/11/2022

Guest Lecture by Cocomat representative on Sales and Marketing Synergy

01/11/2022